23 April 2007, by Sean Gillen

Bogey team Middlesbrough dent United’s title hopes

Manchester United 1-1 Middlesbrough

Manchester United dropped points at home for the first time since November as Middlesbrough continued their good recent record at Old Trafford by coming away with a draw.

An early Kieran Richardson goal looked to have set United on the way to another victory, but an injury to Rio Ferdinand allowed Boro an equaliser on the stroke of half time, and the visitors held out for an unexpected point.

United got off to the perfect start when Richardson put them ahead inside three minutes. Paul Scholes’ superb long-range pass put Wayne Rooney through on goal and, after the England forward had rounded Schwarzer, Richardson arrived to tap the ball into the empty net.

While not playing at their best, United kept a decent amount of pressure on the Boro goal for the remainder of the first half, but there were only half-chances at either end. Fabio Rochemback’s deflected shot for Boro was beaten away by van Der Sar, while Ronaldo was off target with a couple of efforts for the hosts.

The crucial moment in the match came during the lead-up to half time when Ferdinand pulled up after feeling a reoccurrence of the groin injury from which he has just recovered. With just one minute until the interval, manager Alex Ferguson encouraged Ferdinand to carry on.

However, before United could hold out until the break, Middlesbrough equalised when Stuart Downing’s cross from the left beat the immobile Ferdinand and Mark Viduka’s diving header gave van Der Sar no chance.

Ferdinand was replaced at half time, as was Richardson, who picked up a hamstring injury. Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher were introduced as United looked to turn the game back in their favour.

Middlesbrough started the second half well, and had an excellent chance when Viduka got the better of Brown to leave himself one-on-one with van Der Sar, but the Dutch goalkeeper did well to block Viduka’s finish.

United struggled to up the tempo during the second period, with Ronaldo having one of his quieter games of the season. The only notable chance the Portuguese had during the second period was when Giggs found him on the edge of the box, but Ronaldo lashed the ball well wide.

There was a clear tension inside Old Trafford as the United players appeared nervous and hurried when they had the ball, while Boro made several crucial blocks and did a good job of denying their opponents time and space.

Wayne Rooney had the best chance of the second half when he latched onto a Giggs throughball, but he failed to get enough on his finish and the ball sailed wide. The visitors may then have had a late penalty when John O’Shea brought down Boro substitute Lee.

Chelsea’s draw at Newcastle the following day meant that United maintained their three-point lead at the top of the Premiership, but the Red Devils will need to raise their game once more ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Milan.

Alex Ferguson (Manchester United manager):

“That goal on half-time was an absolute killer for us. I think if Rio had been fit they wouldn't have got it. But that's the breaks in football and you have to accept these things. We’re operating with 12 players now, with Rio and Richardson injured.”

“We put in a fantastic effort in the second half but, if anything, we were over-anxious in the final third. We rushed the passing at times and shots were going over the bar or by the post – nothing really on target. That was disappointing but Middlesbrough put in a fantastic effort and full marks to them.”

Man Utd:
Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand (Fletcher 46), Brown, Heinze, Ronaldo, Scholes, Carrick, Richardson (Giggs 46), Smith (Solskjaer 67), Rooney
Yellow Cards: Scholes (44), Solskjaer (72)

Middlesbrough:
Schwarzer, Davies, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Taylor, Cattermole, Rochemback, Boateng, Downing, Yakubu (Lee 81), Viduka
Yellow Cards: Boateng (36), Rochemback (42), Yakubu (51), Cattermole (76), Pogatetz (80)

Goals:
[1-0] Richardson, 3
[1-1] Viduka, 45